Levi (from the 'Twelve Tribes of Israel' / 'Jerusalem Windows' suite)
Print; Lithograph on paper • Marc Chagall (1887-1985); printed by Mourlot Frères, Paris
Style & Movement
Modernism / School of Paris with Expressionist and Surrealist influences
Medium & Technique
Color lithography after the stained glass window design; characterized by vibrant layered color fields and bold, fluid black linework
Creation Period
circa 1962 (original cycle completed 1961, editions published 1962)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 12 x 9 inches (sheet size common for the 'Verve' or 'Mourlot' book editions); Portrait format
Subject Description
Representation of the Tribe of Levi. The composition features central Ten Commandments tablets with Hebrew text, flanked by sacrificial animals (bull/goat), birds (rooster/dove), a Star of David, and traditional ritual items like candles and the Menorah, all against a brilliant yellow ground symbolizing the spiritual light of Jerusalem.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good; colors appear vibrant, though framing suggests a likely commercial or decorative mount
Estimated Market Value
$800 - $1,500 (depending on if it is an editioned signed print vs. a book-plate lithograph)
Auction Estimate
$500 - $1,200
Provenance History
Likely sourced from the 'Jerusalem Windows' book published by Andre Sauret in 1962, or a subsequent individual print sale; original ownership history unknown
Art Historical Significance
This work is a study/reproduction of one of the twelve stained glass windows designed for the Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center in Jerusalem. It represents a pinnacle of Chagall's later career where he merged Jewish heritage, biblical symbolism, and monumental public art.
Notable Features
Features the distinctive arched top ('lunette' shape) reflecting the architecture of the Jerusalem windows; contains Chagall's iconic bestiary and Hebrew calligraphic elements
Condition Issues
Potential light-fading if exposed to UV; minor undulations at the paper edges; frame does not appear to be archival-grade which could cause future acidity issues
Conservation Recommendations
Remount using acid-free matting and UV-protective glazing; keep away from direct sunlight to preserve the sensitive yellow and red pigments